Winter Mountain Fun Without Snow!

I know I’m not the only one checking the weather report several times a week these days.  We are all disappointed, to say the least, about the lack of white stuff falling from the sky.  Although we are all worried about what this means for this summer and what it means in winter revenue, one of my customers spoke words of wisdom the other day; “you can’t do anything about it”.   Plain and simple, we can’t.  What we can do is accept the fact that right now, and the forseeable future we have no snow.

What we do have is brisk, sunny days with clear trails to hike or bike or run on.  The way is clear for horseback riding for miles and miles.  With all the pet friendly places to stay in the Quincy area, it’s the perfect weekend get away with the family dog.

We have frozen ponds and lakes that you can ice skate on or ice fish on.  I even heard some brave souls (and much younger than I am!) are ice climbing Fraser Falls which is frozen solid for the first time in fifteen years.

If being out and about isn’t what you’re after, staying in next to a cozy fire in Lakeshore Lodge at Bucks Lake, or sitting at the window seat at the Alley Cat Cafe or Pangea while enjoying a hot drink or lunch might do you some good.

One thing I’m sure of; winter will come eventually and worrying and fretting about it will not make it come any sooner. Until it gets here let’s enjoy what we have!

The Pacific Crest Trail in Plumas County

Affordable Winter Vacations or Day Trips

Christmas tree permits went on sale in Plumas County on the first day of November…. who knew?  We usually try to get our tree the day after Thanksgiving, I had no idea people from all over came to our neck of the woods (literally our neck of the woods) to cut trees. 

When the kids were little and we lived in San Jose we always went to the Christmas Tree farm in the Santa Cruz Mountains to get our tree, then, when we moved to Quincy, we were so excited about actually going out into the forest to get a tree.  Boy can I tell you stories about those adventures!  Then of course there was the year we opened the cafe three days before Christmas…. that was the year my kids will have to go counseling for; we were a little busy that year and so on Christmas Eve we went out into the front yard and chopped one down.  Although not every year can be described as a “Norman Rockwell” Christmas experience, we have great memories of cutting our tree down and strapping it to the car.

One of my best Christmas memories growing up is the year my family decided to pack all our Christmas presents up and rent a cabin at Northstar for Christmas.  We cut a tree on the way and took it up with us.  On Christmas day we skied the whole day and opened presents that night.  With the high price of ski lift tickets and cabins in Tahoe, who could do that anymore and afford Christmas presents on top of it?  But, here in Plumas County there is an abundance of affordable winter activities ranging anywhere from sledding to cross country skiing, there’s even longboard and sled dog racing or ice skating on a frozen pond.  Check out the Plumas County Visitor’s guide to winter activities.

No lift lines here!

If an old fashioned, small town Christmas experience is what you are looking for, plan a trip to Quincy the first weekend in December.  The annual “Sparkle” is held the first Friday.  All the stores on Main Street stay open late, many serving holiday goodies, then it seems the whole town lines the street to watch the light parade and then Christmas Carols are sung on the steps to the Courthouse followed by the tree lighting.

Christmas Tree Lighting

Christmas tree permits are ten bucks, a peppermint hot chocolate for the drive and lunch at the Alley Cat Cafe in Quincy, which is all decked out for the Holidays, and you have a full day’s fun at a reasonable price.  If you’re looking for a weekend retreat from the big city, bring snow shoes and hike the endless trails for free; with no lift lines.  Stay at Ada’s Place or the Courtyard Suites for an in town experience or a cabin at Bucks Lake if you’re feeling more adventurous.

Plumas County Courthouse in the snow

As I write this, I’m watching the first flakes of snow fall, soon the lawn at the Courthouse will be white and people will either cuddle up to a nice fire or go out into it to enjoy the crisp air. 

I’m not saying life in the mountains is perfect….. but it sure is close.

Awsome Autumn in Quincy, Ca.

Jackson Street, Quincy, CA.

Quincy in Autumn …

Written by Emily Webb of Emily’s Garden, Main Street in Quincy, CA.

 One of things I like most about being in Quincy, is the dramatic change of the seasons…with Autumn being one of my favorites. It starts out slowly around the beginning of October.  The days are warm, but the evenings are cool and soon the first smells of smoke start rising from nearby chimneys. As most people in the area heat their homes with wood, Autumn finds many of us chopping and stacking our firewood to stay warm for the cold winter months ahead. With wild apple trees and blackberries abounding, canning things like apple butter and blackberry jam is a fall hobby for many of the folks here too.

Just the beginning of color

Starting about the 2nd week in October, the leaves start to put on their beautiful Fall display. Deep rust and burgundy are the first to show their colors along the creek banks and then slowly gold and crimson are flourishing up the mountainsides from the big leaf maples and dogwoods. By the end of October the oaks are the colors of pumpkins, making the whole experience a treat for the eyes to see. I always make sure to take a trip up the the higher elevations to see the golden leaves of the aspen trees fluttering light gold coins in the wind.

"Cool Cat" at Alley Cat Cafe

Main St. is always a pleasure to stroll, as the downtown merchants have a bit of Autumn to share: from spicy lattes, pumpkin pies and carmel apples, to nature crafts, fall arrangements and beautiful artwork. This year the merchants have added scarecrows to their store fronts making it a fun walk for the young and young at heart.  If you happen to be in town on Halloween, bring your costume and join us for ‘Safe Trick-Or-Treating’ on Main Street.

"Awsome Autumn" at Emily's Garden

So whether it ʼs driving in a car, riding a bike or walking with camera in hand, Quincy is the place to bring you family this Autumn.

Free Things To Do In and Around Quincy, CA.

The simple pleasures of life are often times the most affordable.  That is certainly the case in and around Quincy.  Here is just a sample of free and almost free activities to enjoy while you are here on your affordable family vacation:

Bucks Lake Wilderness

Explore Bucks Lake Wilderness

Discover the grinding holes at Indian Rock at Bucks Lake,

Hike or snowshoe the Pacific Crest Trail starting at Bucks Lake Summit on Bucks Lake Road.

Jump off the rocks into various creeks and rivers in the area.

Witness nature’s spectacular change of color on a fall foliage tour.  (Sept -Nov. Brochure available at the Plumas Visitor’s Bureau)

Enjoy the splendor of spring wild flowers along quiet rural roadways (May – June)

Lupin and Poppy

Don your binoculars for birdwatching galore; Bald Eagle, Osprey, Sandhill Crane, Canadian Geese, hawks, nearly 300 bird species!

 

 

 

Fill a bucket with wild blackberries picked along the roadsides around town and down the Feather River Canyon.

Hook a big one during free fishing days in June and September.

Learn from experts during free interpretive tours of Plumas National Forest.

Visit the Seven Wonders of the Railroad World.

Take in the view at Forest Service Lookouts…wear your hiking boots! (Forest maps are available at the Plumas County Visitors Bureau)

Scour the ground for cool rocks, crystals and fossils at Bucks Lake.

Collect big sugar pine cones for holiday decorations

Find at least 10 giant sequoias that are planted in and around Quincy.

Camp for free at self-service sites in the forest and along creeks.

Hike endless trails and forest service roads through the forest.

Photograph old barns on a tour through Sierra, American or Indian Valleys.  Many have Barn Quilts on them.

Bicycle from Oroville to Quincy on the new road over Bucks Summit. ( Part of the Quadzilla Race.)

Surround yourself with history at the Plumas County Museum.

Look up your ancestors in the genealogy room at the Plumas County Museum.

Trace the route of early explorers on the Historic Beckwourth Trail

Visit the old cemeteries around Quincy… go at night if you dare!

Take the 17 block self guided Heritage Walk and see some of the town’s original buildings.  The tour starts at the Plumas County Museum and a brochure is available.

Visit the four-story County Courthouse and walk up the solid marble staircase.

Enjoy the art and company of local artists at Monthly Art Walks  in downtown Quincy.  For more information contact Plumas County Arts Commission.

View various Galleries and attend Art Openings in downtown Quincy.

Skateboard at the skateboard park near the Plumas County Fair Grounds.

Build a snowman or a snow angel, have a snowball fight.

Slide down a snowy hillside on a sled or toboggan.  There are places along Bucks Lake Road, Bucks Lake Summit and along the Cascade Trail.

Teach the little ones to fish at children’s fishing derbies.

Experience the good old days at the Plumas County Fair in August (Free Admission Day)

Walk with little ghosts and goblins at Safe Trick-or-treating in downtown.

Peruse the produce at the Farmer’s market on Thursday evening during the summer.  Enjoy the live music and eat dinner on the grass.

Cheer on the players at FRC’s baseball, softball, basketball, football and soccer games.  Watch the rodeo team practice.

Check out the vintage cars at the Old Fashioned Picnic in Quincy during June.

Get there early and stake out your place along Main Street for the Fair Parade in August.

During your leaf peeping tours in fall stay for the Mountain Harvest Festival, in October.

Get your pink boas and sparkling tiaras out and come downtown in late September for Girls Night Out.  Local merchants have fun activities, live music…. and you might even get a peek at a “Chippendale” at the Alley Cat Cafe. 

Kick off the Holiday Season downtown the first Friday of December, watch the tree lighting at the courthouse and visit local merchants open houses, wave to the driver’s in the light parade and take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the courthouse lawn.

Sing holiday carols with your friends and family during the Community Sing at the Courthouse.

Day Trips from Quincy: 

The following are located within 45 minutes drive from Quincy. 

Bike along the shore at Lake Almanor

Explore mountain lakes & miles of trail in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area

Cool off at Indian Falls, a short hike off Hwy 89 and 20 minutes from Quincy.

Count up to 100 springtime waterfalls in the Feather River Canyon, watch for a beautiful array of wild flowers.

Investigate the remains of old gold rush towns near La Porte.

Travel the Ancient Trail of the Mountain Maidu, a self guided driving tour highlighting Indian legends.

Pan for gold, inspect bugs and more during Junior Ranger Programs at Plumas Eureka State Park.

Take the dog for a short, easy hike to Frazier Falls.

Take a picnic and enjoy the outdoor summer concerts in Portola.

Bundle up and watch the Historic Longboard Revival Series ski races in Johnsville. (Jan, Feb. and March)

Bring a thermos of hot chocolate and watch the sled dog races in Chester & Eastern Plumas. (Jan. and Feb.)

Relive the late 1800’s during Living History Days at Plumas Eureka State Park.  (June-August)

Learn about the history of the Railway at the Railroad Days in Portola in late August.

Press apples to make fresh juice in late October at the Dawn Institute’s Apple Fest in Indian Valley.

Parts of this article were taken from the brochure available at the Plumas County Visitor’s Bureau: “100 Free Things To Do in Plumas County”. Please contact the Visitor’s Bureau for more information on these and other activites to enjoy in our beautiful area.

Plumas County Joins the Barn Quilt Craze

Until just recently I had no idea what a Barn Quilt was.  Apparently, it’s quite a movement that seems to be sweeping across the United States.

A Barn Quilt is a vibrant quilt pattern that is painted on a large wooden square and mounted to barns.  Plumas County is joining counties all over the U.S. in putting up barn quilts, not only on barns, but other buildings as well.  They seem to be popping up everywhere.

Barn quilts started about 300 years ago when immigrants from the Rhine region of Germany came to the United States.  Many settled in Pennsylvania. Today, beautiful quilt patterns are seen on the Pennsylvania Dutch barns.  Prior to the 1830’s, most barns were not painted due to the high cost of paint. Barn decorating peaked, with the lower costs of paint, in the early 20th century. Many folk designs, including quilt squares began showing up.

Barn Quilt in Quincy, CA.The Pineapple is the symbol for Hospitality, perfect for Ada's Place, the essence of Mountain Hospitality

Gold Panning; An Affordable Vacation On The River

The Pine Aire Resort Motel, located on the scenic Highway 70, about 15 minutes from Quincy and an hour from Lake Almanor, offers more than just a comfortable vacation spot. Recently under new management; whether a new guest or a returning one-the revitalization of this property is apparent.

Newly Renovated Cabins

Victor Rangel has managed the property for the last 3 years, prior to managing the Pine Aire he lived in San Diego and traveled the United States in an RV as a retiree, and of all the places he’d stayed, the Feather River Canyon found it’s way from just another destination-to the place his heart felt at home. As a result his two daughters joined him where they now attend the near-by Feather River Community College 15 miles away in the town of Quincy-in the heart of Plumas County.
The Pine Aire Resort serves as a quiet place to gather thoughts, a perfect venue for family reunions, a retreat into the wilderness on the North Fork of the Feather River.
Aside from the obvious outdoor recreational activities such as; tubing, gold panning, fishing, hiking, kayaking, swimming, hunting, and anything else under the sun or snow, the Pine Aire offers an energetic free fun environment that most of the surrounding establishments don’t offer at a much cheaper price; all are welcomed to join the owner for bonfires and late night karaoke with great acoustics!

Tubing Down the River

Drive careful on the 70 to get here! Watch out for the locals…Deer!

Cabins come as either 2-1 bedrooms fully furnished which includes dishes, towels, cable(movie channels and sports ticket), some equipped with wood stoves perfect for a romantic getaway, heaters and air-conditioners, and a comfortable distance from neighboring cabins.  Every season has something to offer whether it’s the colors of Fall, the grounds saturated with flowers in Spring, swimming and BBQ’s of Summer, or the quiet winter wonderland…there is something for every age and demographic.

1 bedrooms are $75 a night.
2-3 bedrooms are $95 dollars a night’
Come join us this Summer with an emphasis on FUN in the SUN

by Gina Rangle

Pet Friendly Vacations and Lodging

We lost our beloved dog last year, it’s taken me almost a year to not look for him when I get home or be able to talk about him without getting a lump in my throat or tears in my eyes.  As sad as it was to lose him, I know that while he was alive, he counted himself as one of the luckiest dogs on the planet.  He lived in Plumas County.  We bought him just before we moved here from the city.  The pet store was going to keep him there, in the store. We had to beg them to let us buy him.  When I would watch him running freely on trails and swimming in the river or Bucks Lake, I just knew we had done a good thing by bringing him here.  You could practically see the grin from ear to ear when he chased a squirrel or bounced in new snow.

Thanks For Bringing Me Here!

The Quincy area is the perfect doggie getaway.  Your dog will love romping through the open space, sniffing new smells, fetching sticks in the lakes and creeks, or just plain lying around feeling peaceful! 

Happy Dog At Bucks Lake

There are several pet friendly hotels in town (listed below) and even some restaurants with outdoor seating welcome pets.  Or, take your pet camping in the great outdoors.  Some facilities charge a small fee and most require pets to be on a leash while in the campgrounds.

On trails in the national forest, leashes are optional but preferred.  Be sure to carry a leash in order to keep your dog safe and under control.  Within the state and national parks, dogs are required to be on leashes at all times and are not allowed on hiking trails. Please take caution in the woods and keep your pet with you at all times to avoid encounters with wildlife.

Visitors who bring their horses will find miles of trails to explore and campsites and stables to accommodate them.

Bring your horse

 

If you need a veterinarian or kennel service during your visit, you’ll find many that are available or on call.

Pet Friendly Lodging:

Gold Pan Lodge 800-804-6541, Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch 800-33-HOWDY, P & K’s Meadow Valley Cabin (1 cabin) 530-283-0560, Pine Hill Motel 866-342-2891 and Spanish Creek Motel 530-283-1200 Ranchito Motel 530-283-2265

Pet Friendly Cabins and Camping:

Bucks Lakeshore Vacation Resort 530-283-2848, Cabins at Bucks Lake Marina 530-283-4243, Bucks Lake Lodge (rustic cabins) 530-283-2262, No. Calif. Facility Camp (groups only) 530-283-0844, Bucks Lake Camping

Pet Friendly Dining in Quincy:

Alley Cat Cafe 530 283-0902, (even has doggie treats), Pangaea Pub and Cafe has sidewalk seating in summer, Timatillo’s has an outdoor seating area, Morning Thunder also has outdoor seating.

Parts of this article was taken from the Plumas County Visitor’s Guide, for a full view of the entire guide visit www.Plumasnews.com. Or contact the Visitor’s Bureau at 800-326-2247.

Coming Home

My parents drug me to Quincy, kicking and screaming, when I was 16 and had lived in the Bay Area my whole life.  They bought a resort at Bucks Lake, which is a beautiful area, but I couldn’t wait to graduate and get back to the city.  I went back to the Bay Area and after eight years decided enough!!  I moved back  to Bucks Lake and helped my parents manage their resort. 

It was the best move I ever made.  I met my husband, we bought our own business and are raising our two children in Quincy.  We love the area and all the activities it has to offer.  I like going into the bank, grocery store, coffee shop, anywhere really, and being met with smiles from friends and neighbors.  Sure, we don’t have some of the options for our kids that the “big schools” do, but we make up for it in so many other ways.  Our kids grow up in the fresh air, safe, secure, supported by a community that cares, and have access to Feather River College; a great community college. 

I know a lot of people who visit our area and enjoy it tremendously and those of us who actually get to live here are truly blessed.  The days spent with my friends hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or meeting for a cup of tea at a local restaurant are the best.  My time with my family is quality time; water skiing, roasting a marshmallow, watching outdoor movies, taking the dogs to the river for a swim, we really connect.

So if you are forced to live in the city, visit Plumas County for a truly memorable vacation, I bet you will re-book!!  We have families visiting our resort that have been coming for over 45 years!  If you are looking for a place to move your family out of the hustle and bustle, consider our beautiful community.

Kim Henderson and her husband own Bucks Lakeshore Vacation Resort.

Quincy In Bloom

The Quincy Merchant’s Group has been working hard, studying the many options that we have to make Quincy a popular destination and a better place in which we live. We have studied numerous small mountain towns with lack-luster economies.

We have found that many of these towns have begun to turn their economies around by planting flowers. I’m sure that in your travels, you have all come across a town with colorful hanging baskets of flowers on the lamp posts, flowers in planter boxes in front of stores, restaurants and small parks in full bloom. If you were like me, you must have thought, “Gee, our town could look like that”. Or, perhaps there was a town that wasn’t on your itinerary as a place to stop, but once you saw the flowers, you did want to stop and stay around a while.

Now is the time to make Quincy one of those towns. Our goal is to have the big hanging flower baskets on the 24 green lamp posts down Main St. Gray’s Flower Garden has been very generous and has offered to donate all of the soil, fertilizer and a warm place for the flower baskets to grow until the weather is right. We have numerous volunteers that will plant the baskets, hang them and maintain them through out the season.

Its our community that will make this project happen. If you would like to see our town in full bloom, with a thriving economy, please sponsor a basket today. Each lamp pole requires a bracket, basket and flowers at the cost of $150.00 per lamp-post. This initial investment will bring beauty to our town for years to come. In the future it will only be the flowers that need to be replaced at a minimal cost. If you are able to sponsor a lamp-post, please leave a comment after this post.  Let us know how to get ahold of you. Your information will not be shared. Or message Julie Hatzell or Emily Webb on facebook.

 If you would like to learn more about the power of flowers, please visit www.americainbloom.com

 

The History of Bucks Lake

The first time I caught a glimpse of Bucks Lake it literally took my breath away. It is one of the most pristine lakes in Northern California and remains a favorite place of respite for me and my family.  Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Plumas County just 16 miles from Quincy, the county’s seat, at an elevation of 5000′ it is a year round outdoor wonderland.

The history behind this spell binding area is a many layered story. Once a lush valley surrounded by thick forest, it was a summer home and hunting ground to the Maidu Indians.  You can still find arrowheads and grinding stones when the water level is down and you can still see the holes made by those grinding stones in the granite boulders along the shore.

The second layer of the story comes with the California Gold Rush.  In 1850 Gold was discovered at Rich Bar on the Feather River about 15 miles over steep and rugged ridges from Bucks Lake, bringing men and women by the thousands to the area in search of their fortunes.  Three men took up a land claim in the valley.  One of the men was named Horace Bucklin, the namesake of what was then called Buck’s Valley.  In 1851 several people began building in the valley and sold goods and provided lodging to passing gold miners. The land was bought and sold several times during the next half century.  A cattle ranch served as lodging for travelers during this time. In 1861 a post office was established, augmenting the store, hotel, stage station and cattle operation.

The road from Quincy, CA. to Bucks Lake began as a pack trail across the steep ridges from Quincy, through Spanish Ranch and Meadow Valley. In 1851 African-American Mountain Man, James P. Beckwourth’s Emigrant Tail reinforced the pack trail to serve as a byway to Bucks Lake and further to Marysville. You can still follow this trail today and is a fascinating story all on its own.

The ranch became a vacation destination during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Coming in horse-drawn buggies and stage coaches during the summer and snowshoed horses and dog sleds during the winter, men and women alike would come to the valley to camp, hunt and fish.  With the advent of the automobile, the roads were improved and Bucks Valley became quite the vacation spot.

In 1925 the land was sold once again and a whole other layer to the story began. The new owners formed the Feather River Power Company and set out to build a dam and fill the lake, buildings and all, to create a reservoir that, to this day, provides much of California with hydroelectric power. In an amazing three short years Bucks Lake connected with Bucks Creek Powerhouse in the Feather River Canyon. When you realise the lack of modern equipment at the time and the rugged terrain you realize just how amazing this feat was.

Bucks Lake Dam

The resorts and vacation properties that sprung up along the shores of the lake have had a rich and sometimes “colorful” history of their own, but two of the lodges are still in business and are destinations that many people look forward to visiting every year.  Bucks Lakeshore Vacation Resort is one of these resorts and has been newly remodeled and offers year round lodging, meals and general store.   Bucks Lake Marina, owned by the same local family, offers boat and cabin rentals.  Outdoor activities include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, boating, water skiing, kayaking, sailing, fishing, and hiking and biking trails including part of the Pacific Crest Trail.

For more information about the lush history of Bucks Lake and surrounding area contact the Plumas County Museum in Quincy, CA. for your copy of “Saga of a Mountain Meadow” by Scott Lawson.

Better yet, come visit and see for yourself the extraordinary beauty of Bucks Lake. Contact Bucks Lakeshore Vacation Resort at 530 283-2848 or go to www.buckslakeshoreresort.com.